The Dreams of a Servant

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

– Isaiah 52:7

Temple Zeller was used to waiting on others, after all when your last name begins with a Z, there’s nothing else you can do – except wait. His soft mannered ways and compliant nature made him perfect for the job he held as an adult. Temple was the head butler for an extravagant chain of hotels.

He was good at providing the needs of others and often could anticipate their desires long before clients uttered a word. Temple was in the “waiting” business and it was his job to put the needs of others above his own. This theme carried into his personal life as well, forcing him never to crack an eye toward his personal dreams, rather maintaining everyone else’s needs above himself.

He stood on the front of the hotel steps, waiting yet again, for an elderly man to leave the building and get into the car he had called. The elderly man slowly climbed down the stairs and Temple extended his hand to help him into the car. The man stopped and motioned Temple into the car.

“Sir?” Temple questioned. “You want me in the car?” The man nodded yes and Temple obeyed. Within a matter of minutes the elderly man and Temple were on their way. Uncomfortable with the situation, Temple finally asked why he was in the car.

The man replied, “You have served me for years. Anticipated my needs, freely cared for me and yet I have never acknowledged your needs. I understand you have always dreamed of flying. So, it’s time you were allowed your dream.” The car pulled into a small private airport and there on the runway was a private jet waiting to fly Temple anywhere he wanted to go. His dreams were about to come true. Tears welled into his eyes as the pilot tipped his hat and invited him on board – this was worth the wait.

Many times, we do not allow ourselves the privilege to follow our dreams. We push the desire away as a silly thought–sometimes taking servanthood into slavery, and that’s not what God intends. Being a servant means working unselfishly, willingly – it doesn’t mean complete self-denial. There’s a difference in following your dreams and self-indulgence. The moment we step across the line into selfish ambition, then that is when dreams become greed. God made us each with individual talents and seeking those gifts in the form of our dreams is not bad. Developing our God-given talents into something unique and enjoyable allows God the opportunity to use us to our fullest ability as a servant. Servanthood and dreams go hand-in-hand. It’s okay to dream and to seek those desires provided we maintain the priorities Christ has set for us. Keeping the Father in the lead at all times, holding true to His pathway, serving as He calls us, and sharing willing the fruit of our success allows us the permission to dream. How beautiful the feet that bring the good news of success and love. Use your gifts wisely.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help us to develop the dreams You’ve placed within us, and then use us as Your servant.